Join Rachel Hedman as she continues beyond the world premiere storytelling feast for the senses that occurred February 9, 2009. Through the years, discover the story development and marketing process. Family life can starve when fed abuse and abandonment with stories that gnaw at the stomach. Then Rachel shares the feast of patience, humor and love through multicultural tales mixed with song and personal reflection. You are welcome to the table.

2-DVD set from Premiere, shipped/received within 1-2 weeks
***Audio commentary, closed-captioning, and ASL features--$20.00 (includes shipping)
Support creation of BSA storytelling merit badge and join groups on Facebook or on Ning.

Saturday, January 10, 2009

The first time telling a story out loud is always rough and tumble for me.

That is why it is called a practice.

The shaky results from telling the Irish story of "The Changeling" was similar to the first times I told "Forsaken Brother" and "The Gardener's Wife".

While attending storytelling or writing conferences, often the workshop presenters teach that you have to get the stories out in the open whether that is telling them or writing them on paper.

Rarely are the first thoughts the ones that make it to the final draft of telling of the story.

Joanna Huffaker, my story buddy, was not expecting perfection for this first time through "The Changeling".

On the positive side, Joanna felt that the neighbor characters were clear and real. She shared images that lingered even after the story was done.

I did have to be aware of the different stages with the neighbors. When Mrs. Sullivan wants to show off her baby to the neighbors, I forgot to link the warnings from the neighbors so the baby would not be switched for a changeling from the fairies. It was not until after the switch had been made of Mrs. Sullivan's baby for the changeling that I realized that I skipped that part.

Joanna pointed out that whenever the changeling was a character in a scene, that the scene seemed to go too fast rather than expanding on the feelings that Mrs. Sullivan had whenever the changeling glared at her so that it seemed to burn through her skin.

This could have a mood much like a ghost story if that is what I desired.

More practices will come and improvements will be made.

Until we tell again,

Rachel Hedman

Professional Storyteller

Former Co-Chair of Youth, Educators, and Storytellers Alliance (2005-2008)

This blog, or parts thereof, may not be produced or presented in any form by means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, scanning, recording, or otherwise, without the prior written permission of Rachel Hedman. Contact her at info@rachelhedman.com.